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Scotland – Workers Memorial Day – STUC

International Workers Memorial Day Thursday, 28 April 2022

Saltire and union jack at half mast

Across Scotland events will be held to remember those who’ve sadly lost their lives at work over the past year; to pay tribute to the sacrifice of so many workers during the pandemic; and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.

man laying wreath at memorial

Find an event near you (this listing will be updated with fuller details when available)

Aberdeen Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, AB22 8AQ Thursday 28th April 1.00pm

Alexandria Memorial Tree, Christie Park, Saturday 23rd April 1.00pm

Alloa Workers’ Memorial adjacent to Clackmammanshire Council Headquarters

Bathgate Workers’ Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road Thursday 28th April

Bonnyrigg Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Clydebank Truth and Justice Square, Dumbarton Road

Coatbridge Summerlee Heritage Museum, Heritage Way Thursday 28th April

Dundee Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Edinburgh Memorial and Tree, West Princess Street Gardens Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Falkirk Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk

Fife Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Greenock Grand Hall, Inverclyde Council HQ

Glasgow Workers’ Memorial People’s Palace/Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Hamilton Townhouse Beckford Street Thursday 28th April

Inverness Workers’ Memorial, Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Irvine Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road
Kilmarnock Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park Saturday 30th April 10.45am

Paisley Workers’ Memorial, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Renfrew Workers’ Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park Thursday 28th April 11.00am

https://stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-events/events/workers-memorial-day

building lit up purple

Wreath laying at Glasgow memorial

Scotland: International Workers Memorial Day 28th April 2021: Fighting for the right to health and safety for all Scottish Workers

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC and Scottish Hazards will remind Governments, health and safety enforcement bodies and employers that health and safety is a fundamental right that every worker should be able to enjoy and expect. The two organisations have also written to Scotland’s local authorities and other public bodies to ask that public building and landmarks be lit purple on the 28th April to commemorate all those who have lost their lives as a result of work and remind us of the importance of healthier, safer and fairer work for all.

A minutes silence will be held at 11am to remember those who have lost their lives at work through COVID infection and other workplace accidents and disease.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary said:

In the depths of current crisis, we must pay tribute to all the workers who have lost their lives through COVID infection but also to remember that workplace death, injury and disease is a day and daily occurrence.   We must use the period ahead to make workplaces safer, to strengthen workers voice and collective power and to bring employer and government to account.”

Scott Donohoe, Chair of Scottish Hazards said

“COVID-19 is not only a considerable health and safety risk it has exposed an occupational health and safety crisis that cannot, and should not, be allowed to be forgotten as restriction are eased and workplaces begin to reopen. This is not a return to normality it is a return to workplaces that have to be COVID secure and where the fundamental right for workers to be kept safe at work is respected.

“Since 2010 sustained ideological attacks on our health and safety regulations and our enforcement bodies have left them ill equipped to proactively enforce our fundamental rights and that is why Scottish Hazards is using Workers’ Memorial Day to call for health and safety and laws and enforcement to be devolved to Scotland and plans put in place to create a Scottish Occupational Health and Safety Agency”.

STUC/Scottish Hazards event 10.45am – 11.45am

Details of the buildings to be lit purple to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day on Wednesday

Aberdeen Council HQ, Marischal College, Aberdeen City Council

St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Perth Bridge, Perth and Kinross Council

Edinburgh Castle, Historic Environment Scotland

Bascule Bridge, Renfrewshire Council

Renfrew Town Hall, Renfrewshire Council

Johnstone Band Stand, Renfrewshire Council

Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland Isalnds Council

SSE Hydro, SEC Glasgow, Glasgow City Council

#iwmd21

Scotland: Join the STUC International Workers’ Memorial Day 1 minute silence on Wednesday 28 April

STUC International Workers Memorial Day Commemoration, Wednesday 28 April at 10:45am

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary
Pauline Rourke: CWU
Gary Smith: GMB
Phyllis Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland
Professor Andy Waterson, Scottish Hazards 

We will be holding a 1 minute silence at 11am.  Register

Scotland: Webinar – ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality’

International Workers Memorial Day Wednesday 28th April 2021 11am-12noon 

The theme for this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day is: ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality.’

With speakers from trade unions and the wider health and safety community.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary

Pauline Rourke: CWU

Gary Smith: GMB

Phyliss Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland

Professor Andy Waterson

Others TBC

Sign up for the event here

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.

Scotland: Unionised workers have more safety and security | STUC

Results from a survey of over 1,500 workers in Scotland have revealed the advantages enjoyed by unionised workers over un-unionised workers during the pandemic.

In terms of security, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) study reveals that unionised workers are half as likely to feel their job is at risk than those who are not in unions, and that almost two-thirds of un-unionised workers are worried about paying bills compared to a third of unionised workers.

Unionised workers also feel safer, have some degree of better access to PPE, and are working in places with clearer policies on dealing with the virus.

STUC general secretary designate, Rozanne Foyer, said  “the results of this survey are clear. During exceptional times and periods of crisis, when the music stops, those who are in unions find they have the support, security and safety that many other workers can only dream about.

“It is a hard time for all workers, but life is made a little easier when you know that you are part of a collective. The statistics speak for themselves. Now it’s time for people in unions to speak with friends and family about why it matters to get yourself in a union before you go back to work.”

Among the statistics are:

  • Those who aren’t members of a trade union are twice as likely to say their job is at risk than those in a trade union (37% of non-trade union members compared to 19% of trade union members)
  • 59% of non-trade union members are worried about paying the bills compared to only 33% of trade union members.
  • 57% of non-trade union members who are still working do not feel safe at work, compared to 48% of trade union members.
  • 44% of non-trade union members reported not having access to PPE compared to 39% of trade union members.
  • 40% of non-trade union members reported that their employer was not good at keeping them informed as the situation changes, compared to 22% of trade union members.
  • 29% of non-trade union members reported that their employer did not have a clear policy on Covid-19 compared to 18% of trade union members.
  • Only 35% of non-trade union members have been told they will be paid in full if they are off-sick with covid-19, compared to 62% of trade union members.

Full STUC news release and survey findings.

Scotland gets geared up for Workers’ Memorial Day

Scottish union body STUC and safety campaign group Scottish Hazards have produced an online listing of International Workers’ Memorial Day events. With a month to go before the annual 28 April event, six events are already planned, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Alexandria, Kilmarnock and Bonnyrigg.

Scottish Hazards/STUC listing of International Worker’s Memorial Day events in Scotland.  TUC 28 April 2018 webpages. Email details of UK events to the TUC health and safety office to be included in the TUC listing. ITUC/Hazards 28 April 2018 international events and campaign website and theme announcement in English, Spanish and French. Hazards Campaign 28 April 2018 resources.
When tweeting details of your 28 April plans and resources, use the hashtag #iwmd18 Risks 840. 10 March 2018

Scotland:

Click here for the 2015 International Workers Memorial Day events listing from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

Additional information from the Scottish Hazards Campaign and Edinburgh IWMD commemoration